India keen to host Australia in day-night Test in 2017

India wants to host Australia in a day-night Test match during their tour in 2017, Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive officer James Sutherland said on Thursday.

Pic Courtesy: www.ticketmaster.com.au

He said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials had already reached out about pitting the two team’s against each other next year.

India are also planning to host their first day-night Test against New Zealand later this year.

The pink-ball format is steadily gaining a foothold with Pakistan also interested in playing Sri Lanka under lights.

“I think there’s certainly some positive signals coming out of India and other parts of the world regarding day-night Tests,” Sutherland was quoted as saying by Big Sports Breakfast radio.

“Indicatively they’ve (BCCI) started to talking to us about the prospect of playing a day-night Test match against Australia when Australia tours in February and March of next year,” he said.

Steve Smith’s team could be set for their first day-night Test on foreign soil when they return to India next year.

“That’s just a pretty strong indicator of where things are at. When you look at the big picture it’s probably not surprising because day-night Test cricket is just a no-brainer really, giving more opportunities for fans to get along to the cricket and watch it on TV,” Sutherland said.

An expected four-Test series in India next autumn would be Australia’s first trip back to the subcontinent for Tests since their 4-0 whitewash that led to the sacking of then coach Mickey Arthur.

Arthur was replaced by current head coach Darren Lehmann.

Sutherland also said it was “all systems go” for a planned day-night Test against South Africa in Adelaide, although the fixture has yet to be confirmed as a pink-ball match under lights.

“At our end we’re all systems go for Adelaide as a day-night Test match. We’re still working through a couple of things with our South African colleagues and their players’ association, but I’m very optimistic we’ll get there,” Sutherland added. (IANS)